Cart pusher, mateable carts, and related systems, methods, and devices

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments herein relate to powered pusher devices configured to push wheeled objects from one location to another. Further embodiments relate to wheeled objects such as carts for transporting items from one location to another. Other embodiments relate to platform powered pushers that can be coupled to a family of various wheeled objects.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application62/106,082, filed Jan. 21, 2015 and entitled “Cart Pusher,” and furtherclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/127,657, filedMar. 3, 2015 and entitled “Cart Pusher, Mateable Carts, and RelatedSystems, Methods, and Devices,” both of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to powered pushing systemsand devices for pushing carts and other wheeled objects. Otherembodiments relate to carts, including flatbed carts and shelf cartsthat can be moved around manually or with the assistance of a poweredpusher. Further embodiments relate to self-propelled carts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Carts and other wheeled objects have been used in retail, warehouse, andother environments in significant volume for years. In those situationsin which a large number of carts need to be moved from one location toanother or when a user (such as a customer or warehouse employee) wantsto collect and/or move products or other items, a powered cart pushercan be necessary or at least very helpful. In addition, as the cartsbecome more popular and new uses and specific needs develop, the cartshave become more sophisticated and/or specifically designed toaccommodate certain items and/or operate in certain environments.

There is a need in the art for improved pushing devices and carts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Discussed herein are various powered pusher embodiments, along withvarious wheeled object embodiments.

In Example 1, a powered pushing device comprises a base, a base bardefining an outer perimeter of the base, a left control handle coupledto a left portion of the base bar, a right control handle coupled to aright portion of the base bar, a pair of rear swivel wheels, a pair offront fixed wheels disposed under the base, and a motor operably coupledto the pair of front fixed wheels. The fixed front wheels are disposedproximally from a front end of the base.

Example 2 relates to the powered pushing device according to Example 1,wherein a distance between the pair of rear swivel wheels is greaterthan the distance between the pair of front fixed wheels.

Example 3 relates to the powered pushing device according to Example 1,wherein the base is a flatbed base.

Example 4 relates to the powered pushing device according to Example 2,wherein the flatbed base has a maximum height of about 7.5 inches.

Example 5 relates to the powered pushing device according to Example 1,wherein a distance between the left control handle and the right controlhandle is at least as great as a width of the base.

Example 6 relates to the powered pushing device according to Example 5,wherein the left control handle and the right control handle define aspace between the left and right control handles.

Example 7 relates to the powered pushing device according to Example 1,further comprising a latching component configured to be coupleable to awheeled object, wherein the latching component is disposed at a proximallocation on the base.

In Example 8, a wheeled cart comprises a base, four swivel wheels, aguide wheel assembly disposed at a substantially central locationbeneath the base and moveable coupled to the base, and a manualdeployment assembly coupled to the base. Each swivel wheel is disposedat a corner of the base. The guide wheel assembly comprises an assemblyframe, wherein the assembly frame is configured to move between adeployed position and a retracted position, a deployment plate coupledto the frame, and two guide wheels rotatably coupled to the frame. Themanual deployment assembly comprises first and second deployment leversoperably coupled to a rod, wherein actuation of either of the first andsecond deployment levers causes the guide wheel assembly to move betweenthe deployed and retracted positions.

Example 9 relates to the wheeled cart according to Example 8, whereinthe deployment plate is configured to be moveable by a powered pusherwhen the powered pusher is positioned under the base such that thepowered pusher makes contact with the deployment plate.

Example 10 relates to the wheeled cart according to Example 9, whereinthe powered pusher contacting the deployment plate causes the assemblyframe to move toward the retracted position.

Example 11 relates to the wheeled cart according to Example 8, whereinthe guide wheel assembly further comprises at least two slot boltsextending from the assembly frame, and a tensioned component coupled tothe assembly frame and the base, wherein the tensioned component isconfigured to urge the assembly frame away from the base.

Example 12 relates to the wheeled cart according to Example 11, furthercomprising at least two brackets coupled to the base, wherein each ofthe at least two brackets comprise a slot configured to receive the atleast two slot bolts, wherein each of the at least two slot bolts areslidably positioned within the slot.

Example 13 relates to the wheeled cart according to Example 8, whereinthe manual deployment assembly further comprises first and second liftarms operably coupled to the rod, wherein the lift arms are configuredto be coupled to the guide wheel assembly.

Example 14 relates to the wheeled cart according to Example 13, whereinactuation of either of the first and second deployment levers causes therod to rotate, which causes the first and second lift arms to movebetween a lowered position and a raised position, which causes the guidewheel assembly to move between the deployed and retracted positions,respectively.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, theinvention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, allwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a pusher, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2A is a rear perspective view of the pusher of FIG. 1, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 2B is another rear perspective view of the pusher of FIG. 1,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2C is a side view of the pusher of FIG. 1, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of a motor and front wheels, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a guide handle, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of a latching bar and associatedlatches, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a rear perspective view of the latching bar and associatedlatches of FIG. 4A, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4C is a side view of the latching bar and associated latches ofFIG. 4A, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a remote control unit, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 6A is a rear perspective view of a pusher with a sulky, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the hitch and coupling component forthe sulky of FIG. 6A, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the hitch of FIG. 6A, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a control handle grip, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a left control handle grip, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a right control handle grip, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of a pusher, according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 8B is a rear perspective view of the pusher of FIG. 8A, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 8C is a rear view of the pusher of FIG. 8A, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 8D is a close-up perspective view of a portion of the pusher ofFIG. 8A, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a pusher being coupled to a cart,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a pusher coupled to a cart, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 9C is a rear perspective view of a pusher coupled to a cart,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a guide handle being coupled to acart, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a guide handle coupled to a cart,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of a guide handle coupled to the frontcart of a line of carts, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11A is a rear perspective view of a pusher coupled to a shelf cart,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11B is a front perspective view of the pusher coupled to the shelfcart of FIG. 11A, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a shelf cart, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 12B is a close-up perspective view of a portion of the shelf cartof FIG. 12A, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13A is a lower perspective view of a wheel assembly coupled to theunderside of a cart, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13B is an upper perspective view of the wheel assembly of FIG. 13A,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13C is an exploded view of a portion of the wheel assembly of FIG.13A, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14A is a rear perspective view of a pusher coupled to a shelf cart,according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14B is a side view of the pusher coupled to the shelf cart of FIG.14A, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14C is a front view of the pusher coupled to the shelf cart of FIG.14A, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of a self-propelled shelf cart,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16A is a rear perspective view of a self-propelled shelf cart,according to another embodiment.

FIG. 16B is a side view of the self-propelled shelf cart of FIG. 16A,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of a self-propelled shelf cart,according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 18A is a rear perspective view of a self-propelled shelf cart,according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 18B is a side view of the self-propelled shelf cart of FIG. 18A,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a shelf cart with two platformsections deployed, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 19B is a perspective view of the shelf cart of FIG. 19A with oneplatform section deployed and the other retracted, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of two platform sections for a shelf cart,according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to powered pushers for usein interchangeably coupling with and pushing various types of carts andother wheeled devices, including stackable wheeled devices, such asflatbed carts, wheelchairs, etc. Other embodiments relate to carts,including some pushable carts that can be coupled to certain of thepowered pushers disclosed herein. Further implementations relate tosystems including at least one powered pusher and various differentcarts and other wheeled objects—such as a family of such carts and/ordevices—that can interchangeably couple with and be pushed by thepowered pusher.

Certain implementations relate to a powered pusher—including, forexample, a battery-powered pusher—that connects to wheeled devices. Forexample, some pusher embodiments can connect to certain wheeled carts bysliding under and latching with them. One example of such a poweredpusher 10 is best depicted in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C. According to oneexemplary implementation, the powered pusher 10 can be used with knownflatbed carts such as those used in stores such as, for instance, IKEA®.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C, the powered pusher 10 in thisexemplary implementation has a base 12, a right control handle 14, aleft control handle 16, four wheels 18A, 18B, 20A, 20B—including twofront wheels 18A, 18B, and two back wheels 20A, 20B—a controller 22, abattery 24, a guide handle 26, and a motor 52 coupled to the frontwheels 18A, 18B. The base 12 has a front base bar 40 with a rightportion 40A, a left portion 40B, and a front portion 40C. Further, thebase 12 has a base cover 42 coupled to the front base bar 40, a rearbase bar 44, a latch bar 46, two latches 48A, 48B on the latch bar 46(as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2C), and a latch release lever 50 (as bestshown in FIG. 2A). The controller 22 has a processor (not shown), anoptional remote controller 60, an emergency shut-off switch 62, a statusdisplay 64, an actuation switch or button 66, and a remote programmingbutton 68. As best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the right control handle 14has a right handle support 80, a right height adjustment pin 86, a rightgrip 82, and a right throttle 84 on or adjacent to the grip 82.Similarly, the left control handle 16 has a left handle support 100, aleft height adjustment pin 106, a left grip 102, and a left throttle 104on or adjacent to the grip 102.

According to one embodiment, the pusher 10 is a flatbed pusher 10 havinga flatbed base 12. That is, the base 12 has a minimal height above theground or floor on which the pusher 10 is positioned. According to oneembodiment, the base 12 has a height of no more than about 7.5 inches.In a further embodiment, the base 12 has a height of no more than about6.5 inches. In yet another embodiment, the base 12 has a height of nomore than about 9 inches. The base 12, in accordance with oneimplementation, can have a height ranging from about 6.5 inches to about12 inches. It is understood that the base 12 can have any height thatallows the base 12 to be positioned under the wheeled object to bepushed by the pusher 10. One advantage of the short flatbed base 12 isthe ability to position that base 12 under the cart or wheeled objectwhen the pusher 10 is being coupled to that cart or object, as will bedescribed in further detail below.

In one embodiment, the control handles 14, 16 can be used by a user tocontrol the movement and positioning or “steer” the pusher 10. In onespecific exemplary implementation, when the user is positioned behind—orproximal to—the pusher 10, the user can steer or control the directionof the pusher 10 as it moves forward or backward by pushing the controlhandles 14, 16 in the opposite direction of the desired direction oftravel. That is, if the user desires to steer the pusher 10 to theright, then the user would push the handles 14, 16 to the left, and ifthe user desires to steer the pusher 10 to the left, then the user wouldpush the handles 14, 16 to the right.

The adjustment pins 86, 106 can be used to adjust the height of thecontrol handles 14, 16. That is, a user can remove the pins 86, 106 andadjust the height of the associated handles 14, 16 to match the heightof the user, and then reinsert the pins 86, 106 to retain the handles14, 16 at their new, adjusted height, thereby enhancing ease of use.

According to one embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 2D, the motor 52 isdisposed under the base cover 42 and is coupled to the gear box 54,which is coupled to the wheels 18A, 18B. In one implementation, themotor is a known 450 watt two pole motor. Alternatively, the motor is a650 watt four pole motor. In a further alternative, the motor is a 1,000watt motor.

According to one embodiment, the pusher 10 has a two-position gearrelease (not shown) that can be accessed via the opening 11 in the base12. If the pusher 10, 150 were to malfunction or stop working for anyreason, the pusher 10, 150 can be moved to another location—such as, forexample, a repair room or area—by moving the gear release (not shown) tothe released position. That is, the user can insert a tool—such as asocket wrench or other appropriate tool—through the opening 11 in thebase 12 and couple the tool to the gear release (not shown) and move therelease to the released position. The pusher 10 cannot be caused to moveforward or backward using the motor when the gear release is in thereleased position. Once the pusher 10 is repaired, the user can use thetool to move the release to the engaged position.

In one embodiment, the battery 24 is a 24-volt lithium ion battery.Alternatively, the battery 24 can be a 12-volt or 36-volt battery.Further, the battery 24 can be either a lithium battery or some otherknown type of battery. In a further embodiment, the battery 24 can beany battery that can provide sufficient energy to a pusher 10 to performwithin the parameters described herein. In certain implementations, thebattery 24 is any battery that provides at least approximately 3.5 hoursof use of the pusher 10. Alternatively, the battery 24 provides at leastapproximately 5 hours of use of the pusher 10. In one embodiment, thebattery 24 has a built-in energy level meter that provides anapproximate amount of energy remaining in the battery. According tocertain embodiments, each pusher 10 has at least two batteries 24available such that one can be charging while the other is in user. Whenone battery 24 is used until it has no further energy, it can be removedfrom the pusher 10 and replaced with another battery 24 so that thefirst battery 24 can be recharged. Alternatively, the pusher 10 can havea battery 24 that is not removable and instead is charged while stillconnected to the pusher 10.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the guide handle 26, in accordance withone implementation, can be used by a user to guide or control the pusher10 while the user is positioned at the side or in front of the pusher10, instead of behind the pusher 10. In certain circumstances, thepusher 10 may be coupled to a cart that is loaded with items that aretoo long to fit entirely on the cart. In such circumstances, the itemson the cart may extend proximally past the end of the cart and past theback end of the pusher 10 into the space typically occupied by the userwho is controlling the pusher 10. Thus, those circumstances may preventthe user from standing behind the pusher 10, forcing the user to controlthe pusher 10 from another location. In such a situation, the user canstand next to or adjacent to the pusher 10 and use the guide handle 26and, in certain embodiments, the remote control unit 60 describedelsewhere herein.

The guide handle 26, according to one embodiment as best shown in FIG.3, has a guide handle support 70, a guide handle grip 72, and a handlecoupling component 74 that is configured to couple to some portion ofone of the carts that is coupled to the pusher 10. According to oneembodiment, the guide handle 26 is coupled to the cart that is coupledto the pusher 10. In one embodiment in which the pusher 10 is coupled tomore than one cart, the handle 26 is typically coupled to the front-mostor distal-most cart. In one implementation, the coupling component 74 isa bracket 74 that fits over and couples to a bar on the cart such thatthe bracket 74 can be easily coupled to and removed from the bar as bestshown in FIGS. 3 and 10A-10C. The coupling component 74 can couple to abar on the distal end of the cart or on the side of the cart and therebycan provide the user with a way to guide the cart(s) and pusher 10. Oncethe guide handle 26 is coupled to the cart, the user can use the handle26 to help control the direction of or steer the cart(s) and pusher 10by urging the handle 26 in the direction that the user desires to steerthe cart(s) and pusher 10. In certain embodiments, the user can use theremote control unit 60 in combination with the guide handle 26 to steerthe cart(s) and pusher 10. In one alternative, the guide handle 26 canbe configured to be coupled directly to a portion of the pusher 10,especially in those situations in which the pusher 10 is coupled to asingle cart or wheeled object.

In accordance with one embodiment, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2C, 4A,4B, and 4C, the latch bar 46 having two latches 48A, 48B is used tocouple the pusher 10 to a cart or other wheeled object. As best shown inFIG. 2A, the two latches 48A, 48B are coupled to the latch bar 46 suchthat the latches are configured to move between a latching/latchedposition (as best shown in FIGS. 2A, 2C, 4A, and 4C) and an unlatchingposition (not shown) in which the latches 48A, 48B are positioned closerthe floor or ground the pusher 10 is positioned on. The latches 48A, 48Bare tensioned (or “spring-loaded”) such that they are urged toward thelatching/latched position (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4C)unless or until a user depresses the latch release lever or pedal 50,thereby urging the latches 48A, 48B toward the unlatching position (inthe direction of arrow B in FIG. 4C).

As best shown in FIG. 4C (in which only latch 48A is shown, but it isunderstood that latch 48B is substantially the same), both latches 48A,48B, in one implementation, both have a distal projection 90 and anupward projection 92. The distal projection 90 has a narrow tip 94 and athickness that progressively increases from the tip 94 to the upwardprojection 92. In use, as the pusher 10 is advanced toward a cart orother wheeled object for coupling thereto and the base 12 is positionedbeneath the object, the two latches 48A, 48B advance toward the couplingbar or other similar coupling component (not shown) on the wheeledobject. As the two latches 48A, 48B make contact with the coupling bar,the narrow tip 92 causes the distal portion of the distal projection 90to be positioned beneath the coupling bar. And as the two latches 48A,48B move forward, the increasing thickness of the projection 90 causesthe top portion of the distal projections 90 to make contact with thecoupling bar such that the latches 48A, 48B are urged downward (in thedirection of arrow B) as the latches 48A, 48B are urged forward. Thisurging of the latches 48A, 48B downward as they are urged forwardcontinues as the upward projections 92 make contact with the couplingbar. The slope of the distal projection 90 and the upward projection 92allow for this urging of the latches 48A, 48B downward (in the directionof arrow B) as the latches 48A, 48B are urged forward. Once the tip 96of the upward projection 92 moves past the coupling bar, the latches48A, 48B are no longer restrained along the top of the distal projection90 or upward projection 92 by the coupling bar, so the latches 48A, 48Bmove back toward the latched position (in the direction of arrow A). Atthis point, the coupling bar is retained proximal to the latches 48A,48B by the back surface 98 of the upward projection 92. In this fashion,the pusher 10 is coupled via the latches 48A, 48B to the target wheeledobject. In this configuration according to one implementation, thelatches 48A, 48B allow for automatic coupling of the wheeled object tothe pusher 10 such that all a user has to do if position the pusher 10such that the base 12 is urged toward and under the object until thelatches 48A, 48B make contact with the corresponding coupling componenton the wheeled object. When the user is ready to uncouple the pusher 10from the wheeled object, the user can depress the latch release pedal 50(as best shown in FIG. 2A) with the user's foot, which causes the twolatches 48A, 48B to move downward (in the direction of arrow B), therebyfreeing the coupling bar of the wheeled object and allowing the pusher10 to move proximally away from and uncouple from the wheeled object.

FIG. 5 depicts the optional remote control unit (also referred to as a“remote controller” or “remote”) 60, according to one embodiment, whichis also depicted in its “stored” configuration in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B.In the stored configuration, the remote unit 60 is positioned in areceptacle 61 in the pusher 10, as best shown in FIG. 2A. The remoteunit 60 is in wireless communication with the controller 22 on thepusher 10 via any known form of wireless communication. The controller60 has an interface 110 that includes control buttons that a user canutilize to operate the pusher 10 remotely. More specifically, theinterface 110 has various actuation components or buttons that the usercan utilize to cause the pusher 10 to move or stop. In one embodiment,the interface 110 has two buttons for two different speeds: a fast speedbutton 112 and a slow speed button 114. According to certainimplementations, the user can press and hold the fast speed button 112to cause the pusher 10 to move at a predetermined speed, or the user canpress and hold the slow speed button 114 to cause the push to move at apredetermined speed that is slower than the predetermined fast speed. Inone embodiment, the fast speed button 112 and slow speed button 114 areconfigured solely for actuating forward movement of the pusher 10, notbackward or reverse movement. Alternatively, the buttons 112, 114 oradditional buttons can be used to move the pusher 10 forward or backwardin a fast speed or a slow speed. The interface 110 can also have a stopbutton 116 that the user can press to actuate the controller 22 to causethe pusher 10 to stop, including in an emergency situation. In someimplementations, the interface 110 also has a horn button 118 that canbe pressed to cause the controller to actuate an audible horn sound toprovide a warning to people nearby. In one implementation, only onebutton of the remote unit 60 is usable at a time. In certainembodiments, the pusher 10 will briefly coast when the control buttonsof the interface 110 are released by the user. Further, it is understoodthat the remote unit 60 can have any known button or other actuationcomponent for actuating the controller to cause any known action to beperformed by the pusher 10.

Returning to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the actuation switch or button 66 in thisspecific exemplary embodiment is a three-position actuation key 66 thatcan be used to put the pusher 10 in the “manual” mode, the “wireless”mode, or the “off” mode. The key 66 can be physically moved betweenthree different positions that correspond to these three differentmodes. Alternatively, the actuation switch or button 66 can be a button,a switch, or any other known actuation component.

In a further alternative, the controller 22 can also have a coded keypad(not shown) that requires a user to enter a predetermined code in orderto be able to put the pusher 10 in any of the above operational modes.This predetermined code prevents non-qualified people from attempting tooperate the pusher 10.

The status display 64 (as best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B), according toone embodiment, is a status light 64 that will display a solid greenlight when the pusher 10 is turned on and operating properly. In oneimplementation, if the emergency shut off button 62 is depressed or someportion of the pusher 10 is not functioning properly, the status light64 will flash in a coded fashion and/or display a code that indicatesthe cause of the malfunction. Alternatively, it is understood that thestatus display 64 can be any type of known display for providinginformation to user about the status of the pusher 10.

According to one implementation, the emergency shut-off switch 62 (asbest shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) is a button 62 that can be depressed by auser to stop the pusher 10, including in case of an emergency. Inaccordance with one embodiment, depressing the button 62 causes thepusher 10 to stop quickly. One implementation of the button 62 remainsdepressed and in the “shut-off” mode until a user pulls the button 62back to its unactuated position.

In one embodiment, as discussed above, the right grip 82 has a rightthrottle 84 and the left grip 102 has a left throttle 104. FIG. 7Adepicts the left grip 102 with the left throttle 104 in further detail.It is understood that the right grip 82 and right throttle 84 aresubstantially the same as the left grip 102 and throttle 104 as depictedin FIG. 7A. According to one implementation, the left throttle 104 is athrottle lever 104 that has a center position, a forward position inwhich the lever 104 is urged upward as shown by Arrow C toward the topof the grip 102, and a backward position in which the lever 104 is urgeddownward as shown by Arrow D toward the bottom of the grip 102. A usercan use her or his thumb (or any digit) to move the lever 104 betweenthe three positions. The center position is the default position inwhich the pusher 10 is at rest. When the lever 104 is moved into theforward position, the lever 104 actuates the controller 22 to cause thepusher 10 to move forward. In contrast, when the lever 104 is moved intothe backward position, the lever 104 actuates the controller 22 to causethe pusher 10 to move backward. It is understood that, in thisembodiment, the right throttle 84 has the same three positions and worksin the same manner.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the left grip 102 can have aleft throttle 104 and a fast/slow switch 105 (as shown in FIG. 7B) andthe right grip 82 can have a right throttle 84 and a horn switch 85.According to one embodiment, the throttles 84, 104 operate in a fashionsimilar to that described above with respect to FIG. 7A. The fast/slowswitch 105 can be used by the user to select between the fast mode andthe slow mode by simply actuating the appropriate portion of the switch105 as shown in the figure. The horn switch 85 can be used by the userto actuate the horn by simply actuating the appropriate portion of theswitch 105 as shown in the figure. In this alternative embodiment, thethrottles 84, 104 are positioned on the grips 82, 102 such that they aredisposed closer to the center of the pusher 10 in relation to theswitches 105, 85. Alternatively, the throttles 84, 104 and switches 85,105 can be configured in any positions in relation to each other. In afurther alternative, the grips 82, 102 can have any known actuationmechanisms or buttons for operating the pusher 10.

In accordance with one implementation, the throttle levers 84, 104control acceleration and braking. That is, the pusher 10 speed anddirection (forward or backward) are controlled by actuation of thethrottle levers 84, 104 as described above—either by urging the throttle84, 104 to the forward position or to the backward position. In certainexemplary embodiments, when the user removes her or his finger ordecreases the amount of pressure applied to the lever 84, 104, the lever84, 104 is configured to return to the center position. That is, eachlever 84, 104 is tensioned such that the lever 84, 104 is urged towardthe center position when no force is being applied by a user to move ittoward the forward or backward position. According to certainimplementations, the pusher 10 is actuated by the controller 22 to beginbraking when the lever 84, 104 moves back toward the center position.Thus, in this implementation, the braking force can be controlled forquick or gradual stops. That is, if the user releases the lever 84, 104or allows it to return to the center position slowly, the controller 22is actuated to bring the pusher 10 to a gradual stop. In contrast, ifthe user releases the lever 84, 104 or allows it to return to the centerposition quickly, the controller 22 is actuated to bring the pusher 10to a fast stop.

In accordance with one implementation, the two back wheels 20A, 20B areswivel wheels 20A, 20B while the two front wheels 18A, 18B are fixedwheels 18A, 18B. That is, the two back swivel wheels 20A, 20B rotate 360degrees on their swivel couplings (also referred to as “swivel casters”)(not shown) that couple the wheels 20A, 20B to the base 12, while thetwo front wheels 18A, 18B have fixed couplings (also referred to as“fixed casters”) (not shown) that couple the wheels 18A, 18B to the base12. Further, in this embodiment, two back wheels 20A, 20B are coupled tothe right 14 and left 16 handles, respectively, such that the wheels20A, 20B are spaced apart from each other on either side of the base 12,thereby creating a predetermined distance between the two wheels 20A,20B that is at least substantially as wide as the base 12. In contrast,the two front wheels 18A, 18B are positioned much closer together.According to one embodiment, the two front wheels 18A, 18B are 4 inchesapart. Alternatively, the two front wheels 18A, 18B can be 6 inchesapart. In a further alternative, the distance between the wheels canvary from 4 inches to 8 inches apart, depending on the embodiment.

Further, in certain implementations, the two front wheels 18A, 18B arenot positioned at the distal end of the pusher 10. That is, the twofront wheels 18A, 18B are positioned beneath the base 12 and proximallyfrom the front portion 40C of the base bar 40 such that there is adistance between the front portion 40C and the wheels 18A, 18B.According to one implementation, the wheels 18A, 18B are positionedabout 10 inches proximally from the front end of the base 12.Alternatively, the wheels 18A, 18B are positioned from about 6 inches toabout 14 inches proximally from the front end of the base 12. In afurther alternative, the distance between the wheels 18A, 18B and thefront end of the base 12 can vary depending on the embodiment and on thetypes of wheeled objects to be pushed.

This wheel configuration (2 closely-spaced, more centrally-positionedfront fixed wheels 18A, 18B and two rear swivel wheels 20A, 20B)provides great maneuverability in the form of a small turning radius andeasy directional control. The small turning radius results from aturning axis at the two fixed front wheels 18A, 18B positioned beneaththe base 12 that allows the pusher 10 to be rotated 360 degrees on thatturning axis. The location of the two front wheels 18A, 18B beneath thebase 12 and spaced proximally from the front end of the base 12 resultsin the turning axis being positioned at a more central position of thepusher 10, thereby resulting in the pusher 10 being capable of rotatingaround a more centrally located turning axis, thereby reducing theturning radius of the pusher 10. In contrast, any cart, pusher, or otherwheeled object with swivel wheels at one end of the object and fixedwheels positioned at the other end (rather than being positioned at amore central position) has a turning axis at that end of the object(rather than closer to the center or middle of the object), thusresulting in an inherently larger turning radius. One example of awheeled object with a turning axis at the end (and thus a larger turningradius) is the standard shopping cart. In this exemplary embodiment, thepusher 10 has a reduced turning radius as a result of the pusher 10being able to rotate around a centrally located turning axis rather thana turning axis at one end of the pusher 10 or the other.

The easy directional control results from the fixed nature of the frontwheels 18A, 18B. That is, the front fixed wheels 18A, 18B make it easyfor a user to control the direction of the pusher 10 (and the wheeledobject(s) being pushed by the pusher 10) in comparison to swivel wheels.While swivel wheels swivel easily around the swivel axis and thus resultin a user having difficulty in moving any object on such swivel wheelsfrom one point to another in a relatively straight line, fixed wheelsdon't create that same problem. Instead, fixed wheels facilitate easymovement of an object from location to another in a fairly directfashion with little or none of the deviation or meandering that can becaused by swivel wheels. The standard shopping cart with its rear fixedwheels is another example of this.

As such, the combination of fixed front wheels 18A, 18B positioned closetogether proximally from the front of the pusher 10 beneath the base 12and rear swivel wheels 20A, 20B results in a pusher 10 that can bemaneuvered easily by a user.

Another advantage of the wheel configuration of this pusher 10embodiment is that it can easily push many types of carts or otherwheeled objects. For example, the pusher 10 can easily couple to a cartwith four swivel wheels and push that cart with easy maneuverability.That is, the maneuverability capabilities described above with respectto the pusher 10 are effective when the pusher 10 is coupled to a cartor other wheeled object with four swivel wheels, because the wheelconfiguration of the pusher 10 provides the benefits described in detailabove relating to a minimal turning radius and easy control ofdirection.

In the pusher 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-2B, the right and left controlhandles 14, 16 are coupled to the right 40A and left 40B portions of thefront base bar 40, respectively, such that the handles 14, 16 spacedapart from each other on either side of the base 12, thereby creating apredetermined distance between the two handles 14, 16 that is at leastsubstantially as wide as the base 12. Thus, the handles 14, 16 define apredetermined amount of space between the two handles 14, 16 proximalfrom the base 12 that allows for proximal extension between the twohandles 14, 16 and proximal therefrom of any items being carried on acart coupled to the pusher 10 (such as the cart coupled to the pusher 10in FIG. 9, for example, which is described in additional detail below)such that the items can be positioned on the cart and extend proximallybetween the handles 14, 16 and proximally of the handles 14, 16 and thebase 12. As such, this configuration of the pusher 10 with the spacedhandles 14, 16 allows for unobstructed use of a cart (such as the cartin FIG. 9) with items extending proximally from the cart, as will bediscussed in additional detail below.

In one embodiment, the device 10 can move a cart loaded with at least440 lbs (200 kg). Alternatively, the device 10 can move a cart loadedwith more than 440 lbs. In further implementations, any pusherembodiments having greater battery voltage and/or motors with greaterwattage can push a cart loaded with significantly more than 440 lbs.

In accordance with certain implementations, the pusher 10 is a platformpusher 10 that can be coupled to a wide variety of different wheeledobjects. That is, the pusher 10 can be the platform pusher 10 for afamily of wheeled objects that can be coupled with the pusher 10 andsubsequently pushed by the pusher 10. In certain embodiments, the pusher10 can be automatically coupled to the family of wheeled objects, aswill be described in further detail below. The family of wheeled objectscan include the various carts disclosed or contemplated herein,including the carts as depicted in FIGS. 9A-14C. These carts and thecoupling of those carts to a pusher such as pusher 10 will be describedin additional detail below.

One optional component, according to certain embodiments, is adetachable wheeled user platform (also referred to herein as a “sulky”)130 as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C that can be coupled to a hitch 132 on theproximal end of the pusher 10. According to one embodiment, the sulky130 allows the user to be positioned proximal to the pusher 10 and ridealong with the pusher 10 rather than walking during use. The sulky 130has a coupling component 134 that can be removably coupled to the pusherhitch 132. According to one embodiment, the coupling component 134 is aquick disconnecting coupling component 134 that is positioned over aball (not shown) positioned on the end of the hitch 132 such that thecoupling component 134 can be lockably coupled to the ball and easilyunlocked and removed from the ball and the hitch 132 with a singlemovement of the coupling component 134. Alternatively, any couplingcomponent 134 can be used with any corresponding configuration on thehitch 132.

In another implementation, the hitch 132 can be moved between anextended position and a retracted position as best shown in FIG. 6C. Thehitch 132 can be moved into the retracted position when the hitch 132 isnot in use. The hitch 132 is rotatably coupled to the pusher 10 suchthat a pin 136 is positioned through first opening 138 and through thehitch to hold it in the extended position as shown in FIG. 6B. When theuser is not using the sulky 130, the user can pull up on the pin 136 andremove it from the first opening 138, thereby releasing the hitch 132 sothat the hitch 132 can be rotated to the retracted position in thedirection shown by Arrow E as shown in FIG. 6C. Once the hitch 132 is inthe retracted position, the pin 136 can be placed in the second opening140, thereby locking the hitch 132 in that retracted position. It isunderstood that a user can reverse these steps when the user wants todeploy the hitch 132 to attach the sulky 130.

An alternative pusher 150 embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 8A-8D. It isunderstood that this pusher 150 has components substantially similar tothose components discussed above with respect to pusher 10 except as setforth below. It is further understood that the above description of thepusher 10 and related figures apply equally to the pusher 150 except asspecifically stated herein. According to one implementation, this pusher150 is configured to operate in larger environments, such asdistribution centers and other such locations. Alternatively, the pusher150 can be used in any environment.

As best shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the pusher 150 has a user console 152that includes a console base 154, a touchpad interface 156, a printer158, and a storage receptacle 160 positioned on the base 154. Thetouchpad interface 156 is coupled to the processor 22 and can be used bythe user to control various functions and portions of the pusher 150.Further, the interface 156 is coupled to the printer 158 such that auser can process orders or perform other functions and print out theresulting output in paper format using the printer 158. Alternatively,the console 152 can be tailored to have any equipment or components thatmay be desirable depending on the specific use of the pusher 150.

According to one exemplary embodiment as best shown in FIG. 8D, thepusher 150 also has a two-pedal latch release lever 162 that includes afirst pedal 162A disposed proximal to the base 12 (a position similar tothe latch release pedal 50 in FIG. 2A and discussed above) and a secondpedal 162B coupled to the first pedal 162A and positioned proximal tothe controller 22. The second pedal 162B in this embodiment makes iteasier for a user to depress the latch release lever 162 and therebyrelease the pusher 150 from any cart or wheeled object to which thepusher 150 is coupled in those situations in which the user is not ableto stand behind or proximal to the pusher 150 (such as when products orother objects on the cart or other wheeled object are extending past theproximal end of the pusher 150).

In use, the various pusher embodiments disclosed or contemplated herein(such as pushers 10 and 150) can be used in various modes—as mentionedabove—to push various wheeled objects such as carts in various retail,warehouse, and other environments. When the user is positioned behind orproximal to the pusher (such as pushers 10, 150) and uses the controlhandles 14, 16 and throttle levers 84, 104 to control or steer thepusher, that is called the “manual mode.” Alternatively, when the useris positioned adjacent to (beside or in front of) the pusher 10, 150 anduses the guide handle 26 in combination with the remote unit 60 asdiscussed above, that is called the “wireless mode” (also referred toherein as the “remote mode” or “radio mode”).

According to certain embodiments, when the user wants to operate thepusher 10, 150 in manual mode, the user turns the actuation key 66 tothe position corresponding to the manual mode. On the other hand, if theuser wants to operate in the wireless mode, the user turns the actuationkey 66 to the position corresponding to the wireless mode. Further, whenthe user is ready to power down the pusher 10, 150, the user turns thekey 66 to the off position.

In the manual mode, the user positions herself or himself behind,proximal to, or to the side of the pusher 10, 150, turns the actuationkey 66 to the manual mode position, and controls the pusher 10, 150 withthe control handles 14, 16, the throttle levers 84, 104, and the othercomponents of the pusher 10, 150 that are physically accessible when theuser is in that position. In certain embodiments, the user can couplethe sulky 130 to the pusher 10, 150 and operate in manual mode whilepositioned on the sulky 130. Alternatively, the user can operate thepusher 10, 150 in manual mode without the sulky 130.

In the manual mode, the user uses the control handles 14, 16 to controlthe pusher 10, 150 as described in further detail above. That is, theuser can cause the pusher 10, 150 to move forward or backward using thethrottle levers 84, 104. In one embodiment, either lever 84, 104 can beused at any given time, and the user can switch from using one to theother during operation of the pusher 10, 150. That is, whicheverthrottle lever 84, 104 is used first by the user—either the right lever84 or the left lever 104—will be the “active lever” that is incommunication with the controller 22 until that first lever is returnedto its center position. Once the first lever is returned to its centerposition, then either lever 84, 104 can be actuated to become the“active lever.” Both levers 84, 104 control the pusher 10, 150 in thesame way with respect to acceleration and braking, as described infurther detail above.

Further, in manual mode, in one embodiment as described above, the usercan steer or direct the pusher 10, 150 to turn in one direction or theother by pushing the control handles 14, 16 in the opposite direction.Alternatively, the user can steer the pusher 10, 150 by pushing thehandles 14, 16 in the same direction as the user desires for the pusher10, 150 to turn.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the pusher 10, 150 can be coupled to a flatbed cart170 (or any other cart or wheeled object) in the following manner. Theuser aligns the pusher 10, 150 such that the pusher 10, 150 ispositioned proximal to the cart 170 and then moves the pusher 10, 150toward the cart 170 as shown by Arrow F. As the pusher 10, 150 is urgedforward as shown in FIG. 9B, the base 12 is positioned beneath the cart170 and the latches 48A, 48B move distally past the coupling bar 172 onthe cart 170, thereby causing the latches 48A, 48B to couple to the bar172 as described in further detail above. Once the pusher 10/150 iscoupled to the cart 170 in this fashion, the user can actuate the pusher10/150 to move the cart 170 to the desired location. As shown in FIG.9C, once the cart 170 is positioned in the desired location, the usercan disconnect or uncouple the pusher 10/150 from the cart 170 bydepressing the latch release lever 50 (or the dual-pedal release lever162) in the direction shown by Arrow G. The depressing of the lever 50(or 162) causes the latches 48A, 48B to uncouple from the bar 172,thereby releasing the pusher 10/150 from the cart. At that point, theuser can back the pusher 10/150 away from the cart 170 and leave thecart 170 in the desired location.

In contrast, in the wireless mode according to one embodiment, the userturns the actuation key 66 to the wireless mode position, pulls theremote unit 60 from the remote unit receptacle 61 on the pusher 10/150,and places the guide handle 26 at a desired location on a portion of acart, such as, for example, a bar 182 on the cart 180 as shown in FIG.10A (and as described in further detail above). More specifically, inthis particular embodiment, the user positions the guide handle 26 suchthat the handle coupling component 74 is adjacent to and above the bar182 and tilts the handle 26 in the direction shown in Arrow H by movingthe top portion of the handle support 70 toward the cart 180 whilemoving the bottom portion away, thereby optimally positioning thecoupling component 74 for coupling with the bar 182. Once the couplingcomponent 74 is optimally positioned as described, the handle 26 ismoved downward in the direction shown by Arrow I, thereby putting thecoupling component 74 into contact with the bar 182. Once the couplingcomponent 74 is in contact with the bar 182 such that the bar 182 ispositioned in the coupling component 74, the handle 26 is allowed totilt back to its natural, coupled position as shown in FIG. 10B. Thatis, the handle 26 is allowed to tilt back in the direction shown byArrow J, thereby completing the coupling of the handle 26 to the bar 182on the cart 180. According to one alternative embodiment, instead ofusing the guide handle 26 to control the direction of the pusher 10,150, the user can use one of the control handles 14, 16 for the samepurpose.

Once the guide handle 26 is coupled at the desired location as describedabove, the user can position herself or himself adjacent to the guidehandle 26 with the remote unit 60 in hand, grasp the guide handle 26,and control the cart(s) (such as cart 180) and pusher 10, 150 with theguide handle 26 and the remote unit 60 as described in additional detailabove. According to one embodiment, the pusher 10, 150 will only moveforward—but not backward—in the wireless mode. Alternatively, the pusher10, 150 can move forward and backward in wireless mode. In one exemplaryimplementation, it is understood that the guide handle 26 can be used inthose circumstances in which the pusher 10, 150 is coupled to multiplecarts, as shown in FIG. 100. In this situation, according to certainembodiments, the user couples the guide handle 26 to the cart 184 in thedistal-most position of the line of carts as shown in the figure usingthe same or similar steps to those set forth above for coupling to thebar 186. Regardless of where the guide handle 26 is coupled, when theuser has completed the desired task with the pusher 10, 150 in thewireless mode, the user can return the pusher 10, 150 to its originalstatus by removing the guide handle 26 and placing it in its baseposition (as shown in FIG. 1, for example) by reversing the stepsdescribed above for coupling the handle 26 to the cart (such as cart 180or cart 184). Then the user can shut down the remote unit 60, place itback in the remote unit receptacle 61, and turn the actuation key 66 tothe off mode position.

As discussed above, the various power pusher implementations disclosedand contemplated herein can be configured to be interchangeablycoupleable to a number of different carts and other wheeled devices. Forexample, according to another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B,a power pusher 500 can be configured to be coupleable to a shelf cartsuch as the shelf cart 502.

In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the pusher 500 is coupled to the shelf cart 502,which is also depicted in FIGS. 12A and 12B (without the pusher 500coupled thereto). The cart 502 has a base 504, a first end frame 506having horizontal bars 508, and a second end frame 510 having horizontalbars 512. In this embodiment, the cart 502 has three removable shelves514 removably coupled at each end to the appropriate horizontal bars508, 512. It is understood that each of the shelves 514 can be movedfrom its current position and placed at any vertical position bycoupling each end of the shelf 514 to the appropriate horizontal bars508, 512 on the end frames 506, 510. It is further understood that anynumber of shelves 514 can be removably coupled to the cart 502, rangingfrom no shelves or one shelf 514 to as many shelves as there arecorresponding horizontal bars 508, 512. The cart 502 also has twosupport bars 516A, 516B extending along the length of the cart 502 andcoupled at each end to the first and second end frames 506, 510.According to one implementation, the support bars 516A, 516B have clips518 or other known devices or components coupled along their lengthsthat can be used to hang items therefrom.

In addition, the cart 502 has four outer wheels 540A, 540B, 540C, 540D.In one embodiment, all four of the outer wheels 540A, 540B, 540C, 540Dare swivel wheels that each can turn 360 degrees on its swivel. Further,the cart 502 has two central guidance wheels 542A, 542B positionedcentrally under the base 504. In this exemplary implementation, thecentral guidance wheels 542A, 542B do not swivel, but instead are fixed.Further, the guidance wheels 542A, 542B can be moved between a retracted(also referred to as “non-deployed” or “raised”) position (as best shownin FIG. 12A) in which the wheels 542A, 542B are not in contact with thefloor or ground on which the cart 502 is resting and a deployed (or“lowered”) position (as best shown in FIG. 12B) in which the wheels542A, 542B have been lowered such that the wheels 542A, 542B are incontact with the floor or ground on which the cart 502 is resting. Notethat there is a deployment lever 544A that is actuated by the user tomove the wheels 542A, 542B between the non-deployed and deployedpositions, which will be described in further detail below. In thisembodiment, the cart 502 has only one deployment lever 544A.Alternatively, as will be described in additional detail below, therecan be two deployment levers.

In use, the cart 502 can be pushed from one location to another manuallyby a user. In one embodiment, the user first actuates the deploymentlever 544A to move the central guidance wheels 542A, 542B into thedeployed position, thereby allowing a user to urge the cart 502 from oneplace to another with ease and stability due to the deployment of thecentral guidance wheels 542A, 542B. The inability of the centralguidance wheels 542A, 542B to swivel means that when the centralguidance wheels 542A, 542B are in the deployed position, the cart 502can be urged forward in a fairly straight line without much effort bythe user. In contrast, without the central guidance wheels 542A, 542Bdeployed, the swivel wheels 540A, 540B, 540C, 540D freely swivel duringuse and thus can potentially cause the cart 502 to easily veer in anundesirable direction or even cause both ends of the cart 502 to veer indifferent directions. On the other hand, if the user needs to move thecart 502 sideways, the user can use the deployment lever 544A to movethe central guidance wheels 542A, 542B into the non-deployed position,thereby allowing the user to push the cart 502 sideways or any otherdirection other than a fairly straight line.

When the cart 502 is to be pushed using the power pusher 500, the pusher500 is coupled to the cart 502 as best shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.According to one embodiment, when the pusher 500 is coupled to the cart502, the central guidance wheels 542A, 542B are automatically actuatedto move into the non-deployed position. This automatic actuation will bedescribed in further detail below. Alternatively, the lever 544A can beused to actuate the manual retraction of the wheels 542A, 542B. It isunderstood that the central guidance wheels 542A, 542B are moved intothe non-deployed position in this implementation because the wheels542A, 542B in the deployed position would cause difficulties foroperation of the pusher 500 when it is coupled to the cart 502. That is,the deployed non-swiveling central guidance wheels 542A, 542B incombination with the fixed front wheels of the pusher 500 (similar tothe fixed front wheels 18A, 18B described above with respect to thepusher 10) would make it difficult to make any turns using the pusher500 coupled to the cart 502.

The deployable central guidance wheels 542A, 542B and the associatedguide wheel assembly 550 are depicted in additional detail in FIGS.13A-13C, according to one embodiment. As discussed above, the centralguidance wheels 542A, 542B can be moved between the deployed andretracted positions manually using the deployment lever 544A orautomatically when a pusher 500 is coupled to the cart (such as cart502). FIG. 13A is a depiction of the guide wheel assembly 550 coupled tothe underside of a cart (such as cart 502 discussed above) according toone implementation, while FIG. 13B depicts a top perspective view of theassembly 550 without the cart. FIG. 13C depicts the manual deploymentassembly 551, according to one embodiment.

As best shown in FIG. 13B, the guide wheel assembly 550 has automaticdeployment plates 552A, 552B coupled to the assembly frame 553. Theframe 553 has outer bars 554A, 554B, both of which have two slot boltsor pins 555A, 555B, 555C, 555D protruding from the outer bars 554A, 554Bnear the ends of those bars 554A, 554B. As shown in the figure, thebolts 555A, 555B, 555C, 555D are configured to be slidably positioned inthe slots 557A, 557B, 557C, 557D of the cart brackets 556A, 556B, 556C,556D that are fixedly attached to the cart (such as cart 502). The outerbars 554A, 554B are also coupled to the wheels 542A, 542B via thevertical bars 558A, 558B (only 558A is visible in FIG. 13B because ofthe perspective of the figure). The assembly 550 also has two tensionedcomponents 559A, 559B that are coupled at the top of the components559A, 559B to the cart 502 and at the bottom to the vertical bars 558A,558B. In one embodiment, the tensioned components 559A, 559B are gassprings 559A, 559B. Alternatively, the tensioned components 559A, 559Bcan be any springs or other tensioned components configured to apply asteady force. The tensioned components 559A, 559B are tensioned to urgethe vertical bars 558A, 558B and thus the entire wheel assembly 550downward.

In use, the guide wheel assembly 550 provides for automatic retractionof the wheels 542A, 542B when a pusher 550 is coupled to the cart 502.That is, as the pusher 550 is advanced toward the cart 502 such that thebase (like base 12 on pusher 10) is positioned underneath the cart 502,the pusher 550 makes contact with one of the automatic deployment plates552A, 552B as the pusher 550 is coupling to the cart 502. Note that theguide wheel assembly 550 is configured such that the automaticretraction of the wheels 542A, 542B will be triggered by the pusher 550being coupled to either end of the cart 502. That is, the pusher 550 cancouple to either end of the cart 502 and still trigger automaticretraction of the wheels 542A, 542B because the assembly 550 has twodeployment plates 552A, 552B. If the pusher 550 is coupled to the end ofthe cart 502 toward which the plate 552A is positioned, then the pusher550 will make contact with that plate 552A and cause retraction.Alternatively, if the pusher 550 is coupled to the end of the cart 502toward which the plate 552B is positioned, then the pusher 550 will makecontact with that plate 552B and cause retraction.

The automatic retraction of the wheels 542A, 542B works in the followingfashion, according to one embodiment. The tensioned components 559A,559B ensure that the assembly 550 and thus the wheels 542A, 542B arecontinuously urged downward toward the floor or ground beneath the cart502. When the pusher 550 is coupled to the cart 502, the pusher 550contacts the appropriate plate 552A, 552B. Each plate 552A, 552B isdisposed at an angle as shown in FIG. 13B such that the contact end ofeach plate 552A, 552B (the end of each plate 552A, 552B opposite the endcoupled to the frame 553) is disposed at a position that is higher(farther away from the floor or ground) in comparison to the end coupledto the frame 553. This sloped or angled configuration of the plates552A, 552B facilitates contact with the pusher 550 by helping to ensurethat the pusher 550 contacts the underside of the plate 552A, 552B at ornear the contact end of the plate 552A, 552B. Further, the angledconfiguration causes either plate 552A, 552B to move upward as thepusher 550 continues to be urged against the plate 552A, 552B.

Thus, if the pusher 550 is coupled to the cart 502 such that the pusher550 contacts the plate 552A, the plate 552A is urged upward as thepusher 550 continues to be moved distally. This causes the assembly 550to be urged upward on the side of the assembly 550 having the base plate552A. The upward force caused by the pusher 550 is sufficient toovercome the downward force applied by the tensioned components 559A,559B, thereby allowing the assembly 550 to move upward. This causes theouter bars 554A, 554B to move upward. In one embodiment, the ends of thebars 554A, 554B on the same side of the frame 553 as the plate 552A willmove upward further than the opposite ends of those bars 554A, 554B. Asthe outer bars 554A, 554B move upward, the bolts 555A, 555B, 555C, 555Dslide upward in the slots 557A, 557B, 557C, 557D. Further, as the outerbars 554A, 554B move upward, the vertical bars 558A, 558B move upward,thereby raising the wheels 542A, 542B as well. Thus, the end result isthat the wheels 542A, 542B are urged into the retracted position suchthat the wheels 542A, 542B are not in contact with the ground or floorbeneath the cart 502.

As best shown in FIG. 13C, the manual deployment assembly 551 has twodeployment levers (also referred to as “pedals”) 544A, 544B—one at eachend of the assembly 551. The assembly 551 can be positioned under anycart disclosed herein (such as cart 502) in combination with the wheelassembly 550 discussed above such that the pedals 544A, 544B arepositioned on opposite sides of the cart 502 along the side of the cart502 like the pedal 544A depicted in FIG. 12A. The pedal 544A is coupledto a lever arm 580A that is fixedly coupled to an assembly rod 582 suchthat actuation of the pedal 544A causes rotation of the rod 582.Similarly, the pedal 544B is coupled to a lever arm 580B that is alsofixedly coupled to the assembly rod 582. Both lever arms 580A, 580B arecoupled to the rod 582 through an opening 588A, 588B (only 588B isdepicted in FIG. 13C because of the perspective) in a hinge 586A, 586Bthat is fixedly coupled to the cart 502, with the arms 580A, 580B andthe rod 582 being rotatable in relation to the hinges 586A, 586B. Theassembly rod 582 is fixedly coupled to two arms 584A, 584B such thatrotation of the rod 582 causes the arms 584A, 584B to move between araised position and a lowered position. The two arms 584A, 584B arecoupled to the wheel assembly 550 such that moving the arms 584A, 584Binto the raised position will raise the wheel assembly 550 such that thewheels 542A, 542B move into the retracted position, while moving thearms 584A, 584B into the lowered position will lower the wheel assembly550 such that the wheels 542A, 542B move into the deployed position.Alternatively, the assembly 551 can have any combination of componentsthat will provide for raising and lower the wheel assembly 550.

In use, the manual deployment assembly 551 provides for manualretraction and deployment of the wheels 542A, 542B by providing for thedeployment levers 544A, 544B that can be actuated by a user. That is, ifa user wants to manually push the cart 502 from one location to anotherwith the guide wheels 542A, 542B in the deployed position and the wheelassembly 550 is currently in the retracted position, the user candepress one of the levers 544A, 544B to cause the arms 584A, 584B tomove into the lowered position, thereby causing the wheel assembly 550to move into the deployed position. Alternatively, if the user wants tomanually push the cart 502 sideways or in another direction other than asubstantially straight line parallel to the length of the cart 502 andthe wheel assembly 550 is currently in the deployed position, the usercan depress one of the levers 544A, 544B to cause the arms 584A, 584B tomove into the raised position, thereby causing the wheel assembly 550 tomove into the retracted position.

It is understood that the wheels 542A, 542B, wheel assembly 550, andmanual deployment assembly 551 can be incorporated into any of the cartembodiments disclosed or contemplated herein.

Another embodiment of a shelf cart 560 is depicted in FIGS. 14A, 14B,and 14C. In this embodiment, the pusher 500 is coupled to the shelf cart560. Like the previous shelf cart embodiment, this cart 560 has a base562. Unlike the previous implementation, the cart 560 has a first sideframe 564 with a first support bar 566 and a second side frame 568 witha second support bar 570. In addition, the cart 560 has first and secondsets of horizontal bars 572, 574, wherein each of the bars of each set572, 574 is coupled at one end to the first side frame 564 and at theother end to the second side frame 568. In this embodiment, the cart 560has two removable shelves 576 removably coupled at each end to theappropriate horizontal bars 572, 574. It is understood that each of theshelves 576 can be moved from its current position and placed at anyvertical position by coupling each end of the shelf 576 to theappropriate horizontal bars 572, 574. It is further understood that anynumber of shelves 576 can be removably coupled to the cart 560, rangingfrom no shelves or one shelf 576 to as many shelves as there arecorresponding horizontal bars 572, 574. According to one implementation,the support bars 566, 570 have clips 578 or other known devices orcomponents coupled along their lengths that can be used to hang itemstherefrom.

In addition, the cart 560 has four outer wheels 600A, 600B, 600C, 600D.In one embodiment, all four of the outer wheels 600A, 600B, 600C, 600Dare swivel wheels that each can turn 360 degrees on its swivel. Further,the cart 560 has two central guidance wheels 602A, 602B positionedcentrally under the base 562. In this exemplary implementation, thecentral guidance wheels 602A, 602B do not swivel. Further, the guidancewheels 602A, 602B can be moved between a non-deployed position and adeployed position in a fashion similar to that described above withrespect to the cart 502. Note that there is a deployment lever 604 thatis actuated by the user to move the wheels 602A, 602B between thenon-deployed and deployed positions.

One embodiment of a self-powered shelf cart 620 is depicted in FIG. 15,and another implementation of a self-powered shelf cart 640 is depictedin FIGS. 16A and 16B. In these embodiments, no pusher is required,because the cart embodiments 620, 640 are self-propelled. In addition tovarious components similar to those described above with respect tocarts 502 and 560, the shelf cart 620, 640 implementations have a pushbar 622, a control handle 624 coupled to the push bar 622, a controller626, and a battery 628. It is understood that the controller 626 can besimilar to the controller 22 described above and have similar componentsas well. The control handle 624 has a handle support 630, a grip 632,and a throttle 634. The cart 620 has a motor (not shown) that is similarto the motor 636 on the cart 640, as best shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B.

Alternatively, certain carts can be self-propelled and wirelesslycontrolled. For example, one embodiment of a self-powered,wirelessly-controlled shelf cart 660 is depicted in FIG. 17, and anotherimplementation of a self-powered, wirelessly-controlled shelf cart 680is depicted in FIGS. 18A and 18B. In these embodiments, no pusher isrequired, because the cart embodiments 660, 680 are self-propelled, andno control handle is required, because the cart embodiments 660, 680 arecontrolled with a wireless controller (not shown) that is not physicallycoupled to the cart 660, 680. In addition to various components similarto those described above with respect to carts 502, 560, the shelf cart660, 680 implementations have a controller 662 and a battery 664. It isunderstood that the controller 662 can be similar to the controllers 22,626 described above and have similar components as well. In addition,the controller 662 has a wireless transceiver (not shown) that isconfigured to communicate with the wireless controller (not shown). Thecart 660 has a motor (not shown) that is similar to the motor 666 on thecart 680, as best shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B.

In accordance with one embodiment, any of the shelf cart implementationsdisclosed or contemplated herein (including shelf carts 502, 560, 620,640, 660, and 680) can also include an extendable/retractable shelfplatform 702, as shown in the shelf cart embodiment 700 depicted inFIGS. 19A and 19B. The platform 702 is integrated into the cart 700 andconfigured to be extendable out of the cart 700 and retractable backinto the shelf cart 700. In the embodiment as shown, the platform 702 isactually made up of two platform sections 702A, 702B, both of which areindependently extendable and retractable as shown in the figures.Alternatively, the platform can incorporated into the shelf orextendably positioned directly underneath the shelf. In a furtheralternative, the platform can be positioned in or incorporated into thecart 700 in any fashion that allows for the platform to extend outwardfrom the cart 700 in a fashion similar to that shown.

In this embodiment, each platform section 702A, 702B has an extendableleg 704A, 704B that extends down from the section 702A, 702B when thesection 702A, 702B is deployed, thereby supporting the section 702A,702B when it is carrying the weight of any item added and preventing thecart 700 from tipping over under the weight of the item. Each leg 704A,704B is then moved back into a retracted position beneath or against theunderside of the sections 702A, 702B prior to retracting the sections702A, 702B back into their retracted positions on the cart 700.

Further, each section 702A, 702B also has a handle 706A, 706B coupled tothe outer edge of the section 702A, 702B that can be used by the user tomore easily extend and retract the section 702A, 702B. Morespecifically, the user can grasp the appropriate handle 706A, 706B toeither extend or retract the appropriate section 702A, 702B.

In use, the platform 702 can be used to position items, including, forexample, heavy items or larger boxed items, onto a relativelyinaccessible shelf, thereby reducing the amount of physical exertion andrisk of injury for the user. That is, rather than a user trying toposition an item onto such an inaccessible shelf, the user can actuatethe extendable/retractable shelf platform 702 (or in this case, eitheror both of the sections 702A, 702B) to move into its extended positionas shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B. Once the platform 702 (or one section702A, 702B) is extended, the user can easily place the item on theplatform 702 or either section 702A, 702B. Once the item is placed asdesired, the platform section 702A, 702B (or both) can be moved backinto its retracted position, thereby moving the item into position inthe cart 700.

Alternatively, the platform can extend from the shelf and both theplatform and shelf can have rollers (not shown) positioned strategicallythereon such that once the user places the item on the platform, theuser can easily urge the item into position on the shelf over therollers (not shown).

An alternative embodiment of an extendable/retractable shelf platform720 is depicted in FIG. 20. This embodiment can also be used with any ofthe shelf cart implementations disclosed or contemplated herein. Thisplatform 720 has two platform sections 722A, 722B, both of which areindependently extendable and retractable along the appropriate platformrails 724A, 724B, 726A, 726B as shown in the figure. It is understoodthat the platform rails 724A, 724B, 726A, 726B are fixedly coupled tothe shelf cart (such as the shelf cart 700 depicted in FIGS. 19A and19B) such that the platform sections 722A, 722B can extend out of thecart (such as cart 700) and be retracted back into the cart on the rails724A, 724B, 726A, 726B.

In this implementation, each platform section 722A, 722B has twoextendable legs with wheels 728A, 728B, 730A, 730B. The wheeled legs728A, 728B, 730A, 730B extend down from the section 722A, 722B when thesection 722A, 722B is deployed, thereby supporting the section 722A,722B when it is carrying the weight of any item added and preventing thecart (such as cart 700) from tipping over under the weight of the item.In one embodiment, the legs 728A, 728B, 730A, 730B are not retractable.Alternatively, each leg 728A, 728B, 730A, 730B is configured to movedbetween a retracted position and a deployed position. That is, each leg728A, 728B, 730A, 730B is in retracted position against the appropriatesection 722A, 722B when the section 722A, 722B is retracted. When thesection 722A, 722B is deployed, the appropriate legs 728A, 728B, 730A,730B extend to the deployed position such that the wheels of each of thelegs 728A, 728B, 730A, 730B are contacting the ground or floor beneaththe cart (such as cart 700). When the section 722A, 722B is retracted,the legs 728A, 728B, 730A, 730B are moved back to their retractedpositions beneath or against the underside of the sections 722A, 722B.

The wheels on the legs 728A, 728B, 730A, 730B allow for moving the cart(such as cart 700) while one or both of the sections 722A, 722B aredeployed. In addition, the wheels can make it easier to deploy orretract the sections 722A, 722B for use.

Further, each section 722A, 722B also has a handle 732A, 732B coupled toan edge of the section 722A, 722B that can be used by the user to moreeasily extend and retract the section 722A, 722B. More specifically, theuser can grasp the appropriate handle 732A, 732B to either extend orretract the appropriate section 722A, 722B. In this embodiment, eachhandle 732A, 732B has a support 734A, 734B and a hand grip 736A, 736Bpositioned at an end of the handle. This configuration allows for thegrips 736A, 736B to be more easily accessible by a user, reducing theneed for the user to bend over to grasp the handles 732A, 732B.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A powered pushing device, the device comprising:(a) a base; (b) a base bar defining an outer perimeter of the base; (c)a left control handle coupled to a left portion of the base bar; (d) aright control handle coupled to a right portion of the base bar; (e) apair of rear swivel wheels; (f) a pair of front fixed wheels disposedunder the base, wherein the fixed front wheels are disposed proximallyfrom a front end of the base; and (g) a motor operably coupled to thepair of front fixed wheels, wherein a distance between the pair of rearswivel wheels is greater than a distance between the pair of front fixedwheels.
 2. The powered pushing device of claim 1, wherein the base is aflatbed base.
 3. The powered pushing device of claim 2, wherein theflatbed base has a maximum height of about 7.5 inches.
 4. The poweredpushing device of claim 1, wherein a distance between the left controlhandle and the right control handle is at least as great as a width ofthe base.
 5. The powered pushing device of claim 4, wherein the leftcontrol handle and the right control handle define a space between theleft and right control handles.
 6. A powered pushing device, the devicecomprising: (a) a base; (b) a base bar defining an outer perimeter ofthe base; (c) a left control handle coupled to a left portion of thebase bar; (d) a right control handle coupled to a right portion of thebase bar; (e) a latching component configured to be coupleable to awheeled object, wherein the latching component is disposed at a proximallocation on the base; (f) a pair of rear swivel wheels; (g) a pair offront fixed wheels disposed under the base, wherein the fixed frontwheels are disposed proximally from a front end of the base; and (h) amotor operably coupled to the pair of front fixed wheels.
 7. The poweredpushing device of claim 6, wherein the latching component is configuredto be coupleable to a wheeled cart, a flatbed cart, a shelf cart, or awheelchair.
 8. The powered pushing device of claim 6, wherein thelatching component comprises at least one latch, wherein the at leastone latch is configured to be coupleable to a coupling component on thewheeled object.
 9. The powered pushing device of claim 6, wherein theleft control handle and the right control handle define an extendedcargo space between the left and right control handles.
 10. A poweredpushing device, the device comprising: (a) a base; (b) a base bardefining an outer perimeter of the base; (c) a left control handlecoupled to a left portion of the base bar; (d) a right control handlecoupled to a right portion of the base bar; (e) an extended cargo spacedefined between the left and right control handles; (f) a latchingcomponent configured to be coupleable to a wheeled object, wherein thelatching component is disposed at a proximal location on the base; (g) apair of rear swivel wheels; (h) a pair of front fixed wheels disposedunder the base, wherein the fixed front wheels are disposed proximallyfrom a front end of the base; and (i) a motor operably coupled to thepair of front fixed wheels.
 11. The powered pushing device of claim 10,wherein a distance between the pair of rear swivel wheels is greaterthan the distance between the pair of front fixed wheels.
 12. Thepowered pushing device of claim 10, wherein the base is a flatbed basehaving a maximum height of about 7.5 inches.
 13. The powered pushingdevice of claim 10, wherein the extended cargo space has a distancebetween the left control handle and the right control handle that is atleast as great as a width of the base.
 14. A powered pushing device, thedevice comprising: (a) a base; (b) a base bar defining an outerperimeter of the base; (c) a left control handle coupled to a leftportion of the base bar; (d) a right control handle coupled to a rightportion of the base bar; (e) an extended cargo space defined by adistance between the left and right control handles, wherein thedistance is at least as great as a width of the base; (f) a latchingcomponent configured to be coupleable to a wheeled object, wherein thelatching component is disposed at a proximal location on the base; (g) apair of rear swivel wheels having a rear wheel distance between the pairof rear swivel wheels; (h) a pair of front fixed wheels disposed underthe base, wherein the fixed front wheels are disposed proximally from afront end of the base, and further wherein the pair of front fixedwheels has a front wheel distance between the pair of front fixed wheelsthat is less than the rear wheel distance; and (i) a motor operablycoupled to the pair of front fixed wheels.
 15. The powered pushingdevice of claim 14, wherein the base is a flatbed base having a maximumheight of about 7.5 inches.
 16. The powered pushing device of claim 14,wherein the wheeled object comprises a wheeled cart, a flatbed cart, ashelf cart, or a wheelchair.
 17. The powered pushing device of claim 14,wherein the latching component comprises at least one latch, wherein theat least one latch is configured to be coupleable to a couplingcomponent on the wheeled object.
 18. The powered pushing device of claim14, wherein the latching component is configured to be interchangeablycoupleable to a plurality of different wheeled objects.
 19. The poweredpushing device of claim 14, wherein the powered pushing device iscoupleable to a shelf cart comprising a deployment plate and two guidewheels such that when the powered pushing device is positioned under theshelf cart, the powered pushing device makes contact with the deploymentplate and causes the deployment plate to move, thereby causing the twoguide wheels to move into a retracted position.
 20. The powered pushingdevice of claim 14, wherein the powered pushing device is coupleable toat least two flatbed carts in a stacked configuration.